If only we could gain back hours of time we lose every single day. Time is a standard of measurement that seems to escape us week after week, forcing us to feel stressed, panicked, and worried about what the future holds. Managing time properly is one of the hardest things to master in this lifetime, and it’s certain to say, no one has completely conquered the task at hand.

Still, there are ways to make improvements, and here are 5 clever tips for getting there:

1. Get Up Early:
   Probably not what you wanted to hear. You’ll have more of the day in front of you if you get up at 6:30AM and not 8AM. If you get up 1.5-hours earlier, you’ll have time to read the morning news, go for a jog, and cook a nutritious breakfast before work.
2. More Sleep:
   Many people sacrifice their sleep when the day seems short, but this is really counterintuitive. Instead of doing that, make sure you get 8-hours of sleep so the time you do have the next day is productive and energetic.
3. Rest Days:
   You aren’t a robot. Your body needs time to breathe and relax to perform at its very best. Set aside one day out of the week where you just completely rest. For most people, this is Sunday.
4. Eat Right:

Healthy diets will give you more energy, which will in turn help you to maximize your time more efficiently. Make the most of the time you have with nutrients and vitamins to work at your optimal pace.

5. Track It:

Get a journal and start marking down your weekly schedule. You’ll be able to measure what time is spent on what, and it will help you to shift around and prioritize what is most important to you.

Time is elusive, but you can come close to mastering it by following these steps.